TRYOUTS & REGISTRATION

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Bedford Athletic Club (BAC) was formed in 2006 as a competitive club-travel youth soccer program for the town of Bedford, New Hampshire. We are part of the New Hampshire Soccer League (NHSL) and field boys and girls teams across age groups U8 through U19. The actual teams fielded each season depend on coaching capacity and the number of players registered, but on average we have over 300 travel players per season.

BAC Travel is a 100% all-volunteer, parent-run organization operating as a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Every dollar from registration fees, sponsor fees, and donations goes directly back to the program — player insurance, equipment, professional training, tournament fees, uniforms, and facilities. All coaches and board members are volunteers who do not receive salary or fees for their services.

WHAT TO EXPECT

COACHING & PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

Professional Training with Elite UK Soccer

BAC partners with Elite UK Soccer to provide professional-level training for our players. Led by Winston Haughton — a standout youth player with English Premier League side Aston Villa and semi-professional player in England — Elite UK’s staff leads one skills development session per week for each team. Their philosophy combines the love of the game with technical development, helping players build speed, confidence, and ball skills in a fun, competitive environment.

The Coaching Manual

All BAC coaches have access to The Coaching Manual, a professional coaching platform that provides structured session plans, drills, and development curricula. This helps standardize coaching across all age groups and ensures every player receives quality instruction, regardless of which team they’re on.

Safety & Compliance

Every volunteer coach and Elite UK trainer must complete a background check and SafeSport certification before working with players. Player safety is non-negotiable.

YEAR-ROUND CALENDAR

BAC offers soccer programming throughout the entire year. The main NHSL competition seasons are Fall and Spring, but we keep players active and developing all year long.

FAQ & SPECIAL TOPICS — 2026–27 SEASON

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve compiled a comprehensive FAQ covering the most common questions parents ask about BAC Travel — from how tryouts work, to team placement, to what the age group change means for your child. The FAQ is a living document and will be updated as new information becomes available.

• Parent FAQ — New Age Group Formation (20 questions covering age groups, tryouts, team placement, play-up requests, uniforms, and more)

Key Documents for the 2026–27 Transition

• BAC Policy — New Age Group Formation — Official Board-approved policy on player placement, team formation, play-up exceptions, tryout model, team naming, and roster rules
• Age Group Chart — Birth year and season matrix for U7–U19, showing both 2025–26 and 2026–27 season age bands. Source: US Club Soccer

What Parents Need to Know

• Spring 2026 is completely unchanged. The new age bands take effect starting with Fall 2026 tryouts.
• All players are placed into their correct age group first. Team continuity is considered second, but not guaranteed.
• Play-up requests require Board approval and are limited to school-grade alignment or rare special cases.
• Most age groups now include two birth years. This is a labeling change, not a developmental judgment.
• For questions, email TravelProgram@BedfordAC.com or refer to the FAQ on bedfordac.com.

PARENT & COACH RESOURCES

Below is a complete list of documents and resources available for BAC Travel families and coaches. These are maintained by the BAC Board and updated as needed.

For Parents

• Parent Handbook — Complete guide for BAC Travel families covering expectations, game-day conduct, communication guidelines, and program policies
• Parent Handbook Addendum — Supplemental updates and clarifications to the Parent Handbook for the current season
• Parent FAQ — New Age Group Formation — Answers to the 20 most common questions about the Fall 2026 age group transition
• BAC Policy — New Age Group Formation — Board-approved policy document covering placement, tryouts, play-up, team naming, and more
• Age Group Chart — Official birth year and season matrix for U7–U19 (US Club Soccer source)

For Coaches

• Coach Brief — Age Group Changes — One-page summary of Board decisions, talking points for parents, what coaches should and should not do during the transition
• The Coaching Manual — Professional coaching platform with session plans, drills, and curricula (access provided to all BAC coaches)
• BAC Travel Soccer Program FAQ (Oct 2025) — General program FAQ covering registration, costs, expectations, and program overview

Conduct & Expectations

BAC expects all participants — parents, players, and coaches — to represent the club with respect and sportsmanship. The following guidelines are outlined in the Parent Handbook and apply at all BAC events:

• Parents are expected to support their child and the team in a positive manner from the sideline. Negative comments directed at referees, opposing players, or coaches are not acceptable.
• Coaches are held to the highest standard of conduct. All coaches complete SafeSport certification and background checks, and are expected to model sportsmanship, fairness, and respect at all times.
• Players are expected to give their best effort, respect teammates and opponents, and follow the direction of their coaching staff.
• Any concerns should be communicated through proper channels — contact your team’s coach first, then TravelProgram@BedfordAC.com if needed. BAC has a zero-tolerance policy for abusive behavior at games or practices.

GET INVOLVED

BAC runs entirely on parent volunteers — coaches, team managers, board members, and organizers. We’re always looking for people who want to help and raise the level of the program. Whether you’ve coached before or just want to pitch in, we’d love to hear from you.

CONTACT & QUICK LINKS

For general Travel Program questions, team inquiries, or volunteer interest:

Email: TravelProgram@BedfordAC.com
Website: bedfordac.com

Quick links for current coaches and families with active players: